Computer Cluster

Topics Covered Overview A Typical Cluster Purpose of Computer Cluster Cluster Supporting Trend Major issues in cluster design Cluster Attributes Cluster Configuration

Dedicated Cluster Advantages of Clusters Cluster Management Conclusion

Overview A computer cluster consists of a set of loosely

connected or tightly connected computers that work together so that in many respects they can be viewed as a single system.

The components of a cluster are usually connected to each other through Local area networks (LAN) with each node (computer) running its own instance of an operating system.

A Typical ClusterA typical cluster:

Network: Faster, closer connection than a typical network (LAN)

Low latency communication protocols Looser connection than SMP

Purpose of Computer cluster Clustering is used for parallel processing, load balancing

and fault tolerance.

Clusters are usually deployed to improve performance and availability over that of a single computer, with a much more cost-effective than single computers of comparable speed or availability.

Clusters are capable of performing multiple complex instructions by distributing workload across all connected servers. Clustering improves the system's availability to users, its aggregate performance, and overall tolerance to faults and component failures.

Cluster Supporting Trend

Major issues in cluster design Size Scalability (physical & application) Enhanced Availability (failure management) Single System Image (look-and-feel of one system) Fast Communication (networks & protocols) Load Balancing (CPU, Net, Memory, Disk) Security and Encryption (clusters of clusters) Distributed Environment (Social issues) Manageability (admin. And control) Programmability (simple API if required) Applicability (cluster-aware and non-aware app.)

Cluster AttributesLoad balancing cluster with the 2 servers and N Terminals

Cluster ConfigurationDedicated Cluster

Advantages of Clusters Centralized system management High processing capacity Resource consolidation and optimal use of

resources Disaster recovery Failover protection

Cluster Management Task Scheduling -- When a large multi-user

cluster needs to access very large amounts of data, task scheduling becomes a challenge. In a heterogeneous CPU-GPU cluster with a complex application environment, the performance of each job depends on the characteristics of the underlying cluster. Therefore, mapping tasks onto CPU cores and GPU devices provides significant challenges. This is an area of ongoing research; algorithms that combine and extend MapReduce and Hadoop have been proposed and studied

Cluster Management -- Continued Node Failure Management -- When a node

in a cluster fails, strategies such as "fencing" may be employed to keep the rest of the system operational. Fencing is the process of isolating a node or protecting shared resources when a node appears to be malfunctioning. There are two classes of fencing methods; one disables a node itself, and the other disallows access to resources such as shared disks.

ConclusionClusters are promising…… Solve parallel processing paradox Offer incremental growth and matches with

funding pattern New trends in hardware and software

technologies are likely to make clusters more promising and fill SSI gap.. so that Clusters based supercomputers (Linux based clusters) can be seen everywhere!

HAVE A NICE DAY …….